Another year behind us and another beginning always brings thoughts of change, renewal, and prioritizing our lives doesn’t it?  What can I do to streamline my life and my style? That’s one of the questions I consistently ask myself each and every New Year. This week, I thought I’d share some of my tips to strategically alter not only your closet and wardrobe, but also your thought process. I want to give you some great ideas on how to look at what you have, and also how and when to let go of excess fashion and accessory baggage.

Start small.  Many of us just can’t get motivated to do a huge clean up and clean out of our closets and storage areas, and I understand that. So I propose starting small.  For example just tell yourself that you’ll go through your jewelry box, or perhaps just one drawer of t-shirts, socks or what have you. 

Prepare first by having empty boxes and bags ready to put the items you no longer wear or need into. That alone will get your spirit moving in a forward direction.  When looking at any and all items, be brutally honest about the 3 F’s rule: Fit, Flatter, and Function.  Does this item fit me? Does this item flatter me?  How does this item function in my day-to-day style? This type of thought process is integral to forming not only a better wardrobe, but also a better way of purchasing items that will upgrade your style. Keeping clothing items that used to fit, may fit in the future, or were expensive but never worn is not smart thinking, and a waste of precious space and thought! Instead your goal should be to rid yourself of ALL items that require you to care and think about them even though they have no use to you anymore. 

Set goals. If you are a collector and have lots of places where you’ve stored items, keep your goals in check.  If you only have a small amount of time to do your “new year cleanse,” literally set a time limit, and focus only on that goal. Too many of us start a huge project and then become easily overwhelmed by the task at hand!  Sometimes in my own experience, I use a simple kitchen timer to help keep myself on time and on task. If you don’t have one, get one. They are hands down the best way to make the time you do have much more effective.

Keep your eyes on the prize. By ridding your closet of unneeded items, you are also clearing the way for new (or new to you from Goodwill) items that meet the three F’s criteria! That should always be first and foremost in any good apparel purge!  For example, I go into each storage area in my home with a laundry basket and make my decisions quickly as to what needs to be donated and what needs to go in the trash. It goes without saying that almost any item can be of use to the Goodwill mission, even if it has problems like stains or holes, etc.  These items can be sold for recycling, so they can still help to support community programs even if they’re not store worthy. I also encourage you to reuse some of the items you may want to donate or trash in other ways.  Old t-shirts make excellent cleaning rags that I use again and again in my home, so think about that, too.

Fashion is all about ideas - always has been and always will be. So get rid of some of the old ways of thinking about your wardrobe and style, and start the New Year off with some fresh ideas that will take you to new fashion discoveries.  Keep in mind that when you donate to the Goodwill in your area, you are supporting our motto of reduce, reuse and recycle in addition to doing a good deed for yourself and your community!  Happy New Year!